IMPROVED HIGHWAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 22 March 1939, Page 8

IMPROVED HIGHWAY

ASHHURST ROAD JUNCTION ROUTE TO BUNNYTHORPE. Important road alterations, the work on which is expected to occupy many months, are in progress on Maunders’ Hill, which marks the junction of the Bunnythorpe Road with the road running straight out from Ashurst over the hill to join the main Napier Road some distance from the railway station. Work has started on the elimination of this hill and the cutting off of a large section of the present dangerous corner, which joins the road in a dip, in order, to give an' easy alignment on a wideradius curve from the Bunnythorpe Road. Twelve men are at present engaged on the work, and it is anticipated that the number will shortly he increased to 25 by tlie Public Works Department. Spoil taken from the excavations is being used for the ramp at the Ashhurst railway crossing, where the road is closed and the foundations for the overhead traffic bridge are being put in. Another route is being made available temporarily on the north side of the railway line, which will bo negotiated by a temporary level crossing. It is understood that when the overhead bridge is complete. all Palmerston North and Woodville traffic will use this, and the Palmerston North. 'approach to the alternative road direct over the hill into Ashhurst will bo closed, leaving only the reconstructed entrance from the Bunnythorpe Road, on the route of what is now known as tlie Woodville-Greatford highway. Just over two miles on the Palmerston North side of Ashhurst, the Black Creek culvert oil the main Napier Road is being renewed. Its old totora timbers, which have seen service, for many years, have decayed, and it is being replaced by a reinforced concrete” structure. The water course beneath is being deepened, and the whole work is expected to . occupy about six weeks. It, has been in progress for only a few' days, and there is a brief low level road deviation round the culvert.